Most of us want our kitchens to be relaxing, cosy places where we can sit back and enjoy food while chatting with loved ones and friends. So, apart from making sure there’s no clutter lying around and the dishes have all been washed and stored away, how else can we make our kitchen as inviting and warm as possible? Well, a good starting point is by getting the right kitchen colour to begin with, apparently.
That’s because colour therapists and interior designers all agree the right colour of kitchen is sure to put us in the right mood for whatever we have planned (or not). So, what are the colours we should be opting for? And more important still, will that chosen shade chime in with our current cabinets and the rest of our much-loved kitchen accessories? Before you head for your nearest B&Q to check out the colours on offer, have a quick read of the following:
Warm neutrals are top kitchen designer choice
Warm neutrals are the way to go for our kitchens, according to the experts. That means bright whites, creams, light greys (matt or glossy) and most shades of wood. You can make the room appear cosier with bright accessories such as a red kettle, toaster, backsplashes etc, or cool things down a bit by adding icy sky blue or green touches. If you’re feeling a bit daring you could always paint just one wall – as a feature wall – in a bright and bold colour. This way it won’t be ‘all-enveloping.’
Red is top consumer kitchen choice
Actually, red is the most popular choice for kitchen walls, curtains and accessories etc. Why? Well, as well as being a ‘warming’ and cheering kitchen colour, red is also the shade that stimulates appetite most. Who knew?!
Yellow has a sunny side for kitchens
A colour that simulates the sun so has a warming touch, yellow is another popular kitchen choice. Certainly, it’ll brighten you up first thing in the morning as you reach for that first cup of coffee. And it co-ordinates well with white and neutral cabinetry, as well as wood. Just make sure you choose a warming yellow, such as a buttercup or primrose shade rather than a pale offering.
White stands the test of time for kitchens
White walls and white cabinetry can look really quite sophisticated, especially if it’s paired with silver accessories and low-lying pendant lamps. It can also make us feel fresh and energised (exactly what we need after crawling out of bed).
Black can add kitchen glamour
Black may sound gloomy but actually it can be incredibly chic and contemporary – especially when matched with shiny chrome or steel appliances. Black glossy cabinetry in particular looks fantastic in the right environment and with plenty of cool lighting to reflect the shiny surfaces.
Another way to add black to a kitchen is to use chalkboard paint – or simply hang up a chalkboard on which you can write your kitchen ‘to do’ list, or the kids can scribble while waiting for their meal.
Kitchen size really does matter
Of course, choosing a kitchen colour scheme doesn’t just come down to the mood you’re hoping to create. Or personal preference for that matter. No, there’s also the size of your kitchen to consider. A room with a low ceiling and small windows – or even a galley kitchen – is obviously going to need a light shade of kitchen cabinetry to brighten things up a bit. Large kitchens, on the other hand, can afford to host darker shades (whether that’s on walls or as cabinets). High-ceilinged kitchens can look pretty dramatic and characterful when rich or vibrant colours are introduced.
Style it out
Another influence on the kitchen colour is the style – or theme – you choose. If you want a Scandinavian-styled kitchen, for instance, then you’re pretty much looking at a white or very light grey colour scheme. For French then it’s all about the wood with cream, white or another neutral shade with a tint of colour thrown in. Country kitchens tend to be very cosy with warm colours on the walls, such as orange or red and wooden cabinetry, again in a warming shade.
